Washington D.C. – The Biden-Harris administration continues to implement a series of domestic policies aimed at strengthening the American economy and addressing long-standing public health concerns. As of , key initiatives include efforts to bolster economic recovery, combat the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and address environmental hazards posed by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as ‘forever chemicals.’
Economic Recovery and the American Rescue Plan
When President Biden assumed office in 2021, the United States was grappling with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and what officials described as the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. According to administration records, nearly a million workers had lost their jobs. The American Rescue Plan, signed into law shortly after Biden’s inauguration, was designed to address these immediate economic needs and set the stage for a sustained recovery.
Prior to the enactment of the American Rescue Plan, projections from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office indicated that the unemployment rate would remain above 4% until the end of 2025. The Biden-Harris administration asserts that the plan altered this trajectory, leading to what they characterize as the strongest jobs recovery on record. While specific unemployment figures for were not provided in the available documentation, the administration highlights the plan’s impact on overall economic performance.
Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic
A central focus of the Biden-Harris administration upon taking office was to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration launched a national strategy focused on vaccination, establishing what officials claim was the largest free vaccination program in the country’s history. This involved mobilizing 90,000 vaccination locations, establishing federally-run mass vaccination sites, and deploying over 9,000 federal personnel to support vaccination efforts nationwide.
The administration initially set a goal of administering 100 million vaccine doses within the first 100 days of the presidency, a target that was reportedly achieved in half the time. This was followed by a subsequent goal of 200 million doses within 100 days. As of the available data, approximately 230 million Americans have been vaccinated, a significant increase from the 3.5 million vaccinated when President Biden took office.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
On , the Biden-Harris administration finalized the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to PFAS. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a range of health problems, including deadly cancers, liver and heart issues, and immune and developmental damage, particularly in infants, and children.
The new rule, described as the most significant step to protect public health under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) PFAS Strategic Roadmap, is expected to reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, potentially preventing thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of serious illnesses. The administration’s broader strategy to combat PFAS pollution includes a government-wide action plan and significant financial investment.
Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the EPA is allocating nearly $1 billion in funding, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to support PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems. Additional funding is also being directed towards assisting owners of private wells in addressing PFAS contamination.
The Biden Cabinet
The Biden administration’s policy initiatives are being overseen by a cabinet comprised of Vice President Kamala Harris and the heads of the 15 executive departments. These include the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs. The Cabinet also includes the White House Chief of Staff, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the Director of National Intelligence, and the U.S. Trade Representative, as well as the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Small Business Administration.
Key members of the cabinet, as of the available documentation, include Antony Blinken (Secretary of State), Dr. Janet Yellen (Secretary of the Treasury), Lloyd Austin (Secretary of Defense), Merrick Garland (Attorney General), Deb Haaland (Secretary of the Interior), Tom Vilsack (Secretary of Agriculture), Gina Raimondo (Secretary of Commerce), Julie Su (Acting Secretary of Labor), Xavier Becerra (Secretary of Health and Human Services), Adrianne Todman (Deputy Secretary Performing the Delegable Duties of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development), Pete Buttigieg (Secretary of Transportation), and Jennifer Granholm (Secretary of Energy). The administration has emphasized its commitment to appointing leaders who reflect the diversity of the country.
Broader Policy Initiatives
Beyond these key areas, the Biden administration has implemented a range of other policies, as highlighted in a recent report. These include initiatives related to drone technology, expanded overtime pay, and increased access to over-the-counter birth control pills. While details on these specific policies are limited in the provided documentation, they underscore the administration’s broad agenda of addressing a diverse set of domestic issues.
As of , the administration maintains that its policies have contributed to a period of strong economic growth, although job gains are reportedly slowing. The long-term impact of these initiatives remains to be seen, but the Biden-Harris administration continues to emphasize its commitment to building a stronger and fairer economy for the future.
